New Jersey
Senate Committee Approves Family Leave Increase
Employees of many New Jersey businesses would be entitled to up to 10 weeks of family leave with partial pay for a new baby, a difficult pregnancy or an ill parent or spouse, under a measure approved on Thursday by a Senate committee. The plan would be financed by employee payroll deductions, which would be about 92 cents a week, and would not require any contribution by employers. Those taking the leave would be eligible for two-thirds of their weekly salary, up to a maximum of $488 a week.
Source: The New York Times

Vermont
Businesses Fight Energy Bill Veto Threat
Forty-five Vermont business owners pleaded with the governor to meet with them so they can try change his mind about vetoing an energy bill. Gov. Jim Douglas (R) has said he will veto the energy legislation because he opposes an increase in taxes on the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant. The increased taxes would help pay for a new energy-efficiency program. Supporters of the energy bill argue it offers a number of opportunities to save Vermonters money on heating bills and, in the process, generate jobs.
Source: Burlington Free Press

Kentucky
Special Session to Focus on Energy Incentives
Gov. Ernie Fletcher (R) plans to call lawmakers into session in late June to ask them to approve an energy bill that would provide $1.5 billion in tax incentives for firms considering expanding into Kentucky. The energy bill would specifically benefit companies that turn coal into liquid fuels. Fletcher said one company, which he declined to identify, is considering building in the state and the incentive package needs to be dealt with in a timely manner.
Source: CNHI News Service

Tennessee
Official Says Business Taxes Growing
Growth in major business taxes is fueling much of Tennessee's unexpected rise in revenue this year, the state's finance commissioner said. "Each year we've been able to closely estimate sales [taxes], but it's been the unanticipated growth in franchise and excise taxes that have produced the growth," Dave Goetz said. A combination of increased business activity and aggressive efforts to close corporate "loopholes" spurred the growth, he said.
Source: Chattanooga Times Free Press

Michigan
Lawmakers Move Closer to SBT Deal
State Democrats said they're close to striking a deal on the replacement for the expiring Single Business Tax (SBT). The House has proposed a new business tax that would tax profits and net worth, slash the levy on business equipment, and shift some of the tax burden to businesses that have sales in Michigan but no major facilities or employment here. The Senate has proposed a tax on business income and gross receipts that would provide a net $600 million tax cut. The two sides are trying to meld a plan that would take features from both the House and Senate proposals. There appears to be general agreement that the new business tax will raise about the same $1.9 billion that the current tax generates.
Source: The Detroit News

Nebraska
Unemployment Rate Rises to 2.8%
Nebraska's unemployment rate rose slightly last month, the Nebraska Department of Labor said last week. The department estimated the seasonally adjusted rate at 2.8% in April. That's two-tenths of a percentage point higher than the March rate but two-tenths of a point lower than last year in April. The top three private growth sectors since March 2006 are: professional and business services; trade, transportation, and utilities; and educational and health services.
Source: Associated Press

Hawaii
Governor Signs Unemployment Tax Cut
A new law eases the unemployment insurance tax burden on businesses and should save them an estimated $151 million over the next three years, or $1,100 per employee per year. Act 110, signed by Gov. Linda Lingle (R) last week, will lower the taxable wage base used to calculate what employers pay for unemployment insurance, while increasing the benefits for unemployed workers.
Source: The Honolulu Advertiser

Washington
State Steps Up Efforts to Recruit Farm Labor
A new video produced by Washington state's employment agency aims to recruit farmworkers from California, Texas, and beyond in hopes of alleviating any potential labor shortage that growers fear could leave acres of fruit unpicked this season. The video is featured on the agency's Web site and agency officials are working with their counterparts in other states to help spread the word.
Source: Reuters